3-Month Long Construction Project to Impact I-74, River Drive Drivers

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The signs are already up warning drivers of another construction project on another bridge in the Quad Cities.

Beginning Monday, September 8th, 2014, IDOT crews are going to close the ramps on Interstate 74 that lead to and from River Drive in Moline. In addition, River Drive from 19th Street to 23rd Street will be blocked to all traffic starting on that same date.

"This is the first contract to be done on the Illinois side of the river that's tied to the new I-74 bridge," IDOT District 2 Project Implementation Engineer, John Wegmeyer told News 8 on Thursday, August 28th, 2014.

Wegmeyer says the $6.9 million project includes removing all of the existing roadway, then placing new water mains, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and concrete pavement. It's expected to last three months.

However, Wegmeyer says there are a couple of reasons the River Drive project needs to get done before 2014 is over.

"We're completely reconstructing this portion of road so it does not have to be done when we get into the contracts for the I-74 bridge. We're trying to keep congestion in the downtown area to a minimum for that project."

In addition, Wegmeyer says they want to finish the project before it gets too cold or else the ramps will have to be closed all winter long.

"We want to get in and get done so we don't have it going over a winter period."

IDOT crews are asking drivers to use the 7th Avenue ramps on I-74 as a way to get around the construction. The project is scheduled to be completed by December 5th, 2014.